Staying on Top of Oral Health During COVID-19

As we continue to battle the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, an anxious question still arises in our mind, "When is COVID-19 going to end"? As part of the defense against the spread of COVID-19, we need to concentrate on dental health care as well as stay in our best health. Most of us have settled into a new routine to cope with daily life, oral hygiene, and overall health.

Importance of Oral Hygiene During the Pandemic

As oral health is a window to overall health, it is essential to maintain proper oral hygiene habits to optimize your immune system against COVID-19. Oral health management has a potential impact on the severity of COVID-19 illness.

Our mouth is one of the primary sources of entry for the virus through airborne methods, by droplets of saliva or even nasal discharge. The mouth is composed of beneficial and harmful bacteria. As more harmful bacteria thrive in our mouths, more energy is required for the immune system to fight infection. 

The immune system is not able to defend against the infection if bad bacteria overload the mouth. Keep your oral hygiene pristine as harmful bacteria in the mouth are more liable to cause respiratory infections. Poor oral health increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. These increase the severity of COVID-19.

Oral Hygiene Tips to Keep Dental Issues at Bay During the Pandemic

A healthy mouth is a strong pillar for a good immune system. Ensure we stick to following oral hygiene tips to keep our teeth and gums healthy:

• Brush at least twice a day
• Floss daily
• Schedule dental visits twice a year
• Stay hydrated
• Cut down on sugar
• Stick onto a balanced diet
• Avoid smoking and tobacco use
• Clean and disinfect your toothbrush
• Use an antiseptic mouth rinse

Simple oral health measures at home reduce the risk for transmission of the COVID-19 virus and help to reduce the severity of the condition. COVID-19 patients experience the symptoms of weakened gums, dry mouth, loss of the sense of taste resulting in oral concerns like gum diseases and oral ulcers. Hence, it is advisable to maintain good oral hygiene as post-COVID-19 care.

The health and well-being of your mouth and teeth are our top priority. Stay on top of oral health during this pandemic and schedule a routine dental appointment at Covington Signature Dentistry, 27121 174th Place SE, Suite 202, Covington, WA 98042. Call us to book an appointment at (253) 638-9955.